The European première of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD

The European Premiere of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, a jazz-infused chamber opera by Daniel Schnyder that tells the story of the great bebop pioneer, starring Lawrence Brownlee in the title role. Ron Daniels directs YARDBIRD at Hackney Empire – the first opera to be performed as part of a long-term collaboration with Hackney Empire, ENO and Opera Philadelphia. In April YARDBIRD marked the first time opera has been performed at the legendary Apollo Theater New York. Lawrence Brownlee stars as the legendary saxophonist—a role crafted around the effortless, improvisational style that makes him one of music’s most sought after tenors. Soprano Angela Brown mesmerizes as his mother, Addie Parker, and baritone Will Liverman portrays jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie. Set in the famed NYC jazz club Birdland, the opera is as uncompromising in its artistic vision as the “Yardbird” himself.

Clarie Middleton, Chief Executive of Hackney Empire said,

“Music – and especially its intrinsic role in emotional narrative – is at the core of Hackney Empire’s work. We reach out both locally and globally, and actively celebrate culturally diverse artists and audiences. By developing and collaborating on innovative work we aim to become a truly dynamic place to experience opera in the 21st century.

“Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD is a superb piece that effortlessly mixes classical and jazz styles to tell the story of a musical genius, it will engage with Hackney Empire’s many different audiences on a myriad of levels.

“We are delighted to be partnering with ENO on this project and others over the next few years. This is much more than a sharing of resources. It will build bridges for audiences into opera and break boundaries within the art form itself.”